Extraordinary Tech: Soundcast VG10 Creates Your Own Sound Bubble

Welcome to Extraordinary Tech 2018 Day 9. Join Buchanan, Joelle, Mike and myself on our adventures as we test out some of the best tech available in 2018. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday we’ll be showcasing devices that came with us on a cross-country trip this summer, ranging from an outdoor speaker that will change the way you think of sound to a smartwatch that offers the best fitness features at an affordable price. Along the way, we’ll be hosting giveaways of some of the tech featured in this series, so stay tuned!

On a typical afternoon in our Catalina cove, you could hear the waves lapping rhythmically against the rocky shores as seagulls squawked in harmony above the low hanging clouds. Children splashed the water, their high-pitched laughs rising above the soundscape as mumbles of families and tourist sun-tanning lazily float through the air.

We were among them, on the cove, but simultaneously, lost in a different soundscape.

Bass boosted beats shook us while smooth melodies softened that blow. A singular voice cut through the musical arrangement. The singer’s passion and emotion came through clear as crystal, transmitting the excitement directly to our soul.

We were a bubble of hype in an otherwise calm and normal beachside.

At the center of it all was the Soundcast VG10. Its almost matte black chassis contrasted beautifully with the light-colored sand it was buried in, while its orange accents and colorful captive touch keypad made it pop.

To be honest, it was a weird being lost in sound. Travel size and clip on speakers are available, that’s true, and until then, I’ve loved my experience traveling with them. Yet, while those created great sound spaces, they were conical in scope, sending out sound in one direction.

With the Soundcast VG10, sound felt more 3 dimensional. It was like a silo, an oasis of sound, within an otherwise hectic soundscape. These outdoor speakers emitted our music evenly, omnidirectionally, meaning that wherever we were within the sphere of sound, we’d be hearing high quality music.

That’s especially true since the Soundcast VG10 marks a first in the world of outdoor speakers. We were surprised to find out that, for the first time ever, it’s bringing DTS Play-Fi to the outdoors! That means that we could pair it with over 30 different speakers, sound bars or receivers over the same Wi-Fi network and enjoy lossless audio outside.

Having our own beach party was not just a possibility, but a plan. Integrating it with other audio systems, in other locations, during our Extraordinary Tech trip was perfectly doable. After this epiphany, it was impossible not to let ourselves get lost in the flawless sound and, eventually, lose track of time.

The sun began to fall and we quickly packed up, turning off the Soundcast VG10 with a quick touch of the power button.

Grabbing the handle from the back, we were ready to leave, knowing deep down we’d be back. It didn’t matter where or when, but we’d be back, Soundcast VG10 in hand, in our own little bubble of music.

Bottom Line:

Music is a natural connector but depends on an instrument to play it. Whether or not that’s a physical instrument – a guitar or a speaker perhaps – the quality matters since it changes the experience of listening.

Not only is the Soundcast VG10 extremely high quality, it creates the optimal space for the experience. Emitting music in 360 degrees creates a sphere of sound, engulfing you no matter where you go. Its outdoor-friendly design thanks to Soundcast’s famous weatherproofing means the experience can go anywhere you go. Being DTS Play-fi enabled allows you to connect it to over 30 different audio devices, creating your own audio configuration on the go, without sacrificing quality or being constrained to one single brand.

In its design and features, the Soundcast VG10 is all about connecting through music. Are you ready to enjoy a whole new world of sound?

The Extraordinary Tech series was produced in partnership with Xperi. We were provided a review unit ahead of public release.